Everything is ready in Vilanova i la Geltrú to provide the appetizer of the Sailing America’s Cup, which will place the capital of Garraf among the sports capitals of the world for a few days. From today until Sunday, the city expects more than 40,000 visitors with the first preliminary regatta of the competition, which has aroused much expectation, but will entail significant traffic access restrictions. Until Sunday, from 11 in the morning until approximately 11 at night, access to the maritime strip of the capital of Garraf will be completely closed. It will remain closed from the Joan Oliver roundabout (the cut will be effective from the roundabout of Ronda Europa with Avenida Terrossa) and until the Ronda del Mar Mediterrani.
The parking cordon on the Paseo Marítim, del Carme, Ribes Roges and La Ribera (lateral Paseo Marítim) and the Rambla del Port has been eliminated. Traffic is also cut off at the crossing under the Josep Coroleu train track, at the intersection with Anselm Clavé Street. The City Council has reiterated its advice that “it is better” to access the seafront on foot, by bike or by old city buses, and also that road traffic be limited as much as possible.
At the same time, measures have been deployed to ensure that the neighborhoods of Mar and Ribes Roges have guaranteed access to homes, fords, essential services, schools and health centers. People with reduced mobility have also been taken into account. Public transport networks, train and bus, have been reinforced to facilitate the change of mode from private to collective vehicles. Simultaneously, and to promote this change, alternatives have been prepared that encourage travel on foot and by bicycle, with a peripheral ring with up to five park and ride facilities interconnected with a free shuttle bus, with capacity for 2,320 spaces. The parking lots will progressively fill up in order, one after another, thanks to geolocation. The Renfe service has also been expanded, with units and frequencies similar to those of the Sitges carnival, according to the municipal coordinator of the Copa del América, Xavier Socías. Travelers arriving in Vilanova will find the recommended walking routes signposted, until they reach the seafront. It is intended that the Principal and Pau boulevards be the main access axis.
The third deputy mayor and Councilor for Transport, Gerard Llobet, told La Vanguardia that “the closure of the maritime façade is done, on the one hand, to prevent collapse for four days and ensure that the neighborhood, schools, services, businesses and restoration have guaranteed accessibility; and, on the other hand, to comply with the security plans designed by all the security forces that accompany a massive event like this. Llobet calls “for civility, for understanding and collaboration, and for making use of public transport and park and ride facilities.”
The president of the Associació de Veïns de Baix a Mar, Xavier Planas, points out that “as an association we do not want to comment on the dispute of the preliminary regattas of the America’s Cup since there are neighbors who see it well, but others are totally against it.” ”. And he adds that “we know that there will be effects, what are we going to do!”
Vilanova i la Geltrú has also organized an additional device for cleaning, waste collection and gardening care.
All security forces and bodies and emergency services are coordinated in a joint device. Operational coordination falls to the Mossos d’Esquadra and each of the bodies involved will develop specific responsibilities in multiple areas. The Civil Guard, for example, will mobilize a group of seven vessels, one of them high-altitude that will centralize command and maritime security. There will be another six, including patrol boats and speed boats, that will control security within the regatta. The National Police will act following the demands of the Mossos and providing intervention units depending on the needs.
